Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman's flirtation with a run for governor became official this week, as he announced his bid to be the GOP nominee to take on Gov. Kathy Hochul in 2026.

We explored his path to a primary victory and an upset in November with Michael Dawidziak, a Long Island-based Republican strategist. We talked about Blakeman's resume, the possibility of strategic voting by GOP primary participants, and the role of President Donald Trump in picking his party's nominee.

And if this insider discussion is your cup of tea, you may be interested in our holiday offer for supporters of the program. For a $50 contribution or a recurring commitment of $5 a month we'll give you a 12×9 poster celebrating life on Planet Albany.